Doctor Explains Why Metal Music Reduces Stress

Metal fans have another reason to love the genre: The health benefits are rather impressive.

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Andreoli, PhD explains via TikTok, "Listening to any type of music can be therapeutic and can allow for an emotional release. Heavy metal is no exception."

She continues, "In fact, heavy metal has been found to lessen negative emotions by reducing cortisol levels, which helps to lessen stress. Research has found that people who listen to heavy metal tend to think more logically and in more complex terms than those who don't listen to heavy metal. Heavy metal has been found to help the most with focus"

Dr. Andreoli added, "Now, lyrics in heavy metal do tend to focus on rage, but there's no research linking listening to heavy metal with a desensitization to violence. In fact, listening to heavy metal has been found to be a positive way to process anger safely."

So, you heard the doctor. Find your favorite metal albums and crank them up for your health!

Metallica released Master of Puppets on March 3, 1986, and years later, it remains one of metal's most iconic masterpieces.

In honor of its anniversary, we take a look back on that album, as well as other '80s metal albums we think everyone should own.

The list in the gallery below also doubles as a convenient “metal starter kit” (if you will) for the youths dipping their toe into metal for the first time, because frankly, someone has to think about the children.